More than a few fans have been campaigning for it. Their wish finally came true on Tuesday after it was stunningly announced by the Milwaukee Bucks that they had decided to part ways with rookie head coach Adrian Griffin.
You could say that this move had been a long time coming for the Bucks but still, it does little to reduce the shock value of the massive decision.
Milwaukee Bucks Fire Adrian Griffin
The timing of the decision becomes even more questionable considering the fact that the Bucks are coming off back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons. This includes their 122-113 victory at the Little Caesars Arena on Monday night, which allowed them to improve their record on the season to 30-13.
It is worth noting, however, that prior to these two wins, the Bucks suffered their worst loss of the season. It came in the form of a 40-point loss to Central Division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on January 17, 135-95.
Moreover, while the Bucks may have secured two wins in a row against the league-worst Pistons, you can’t really say that either of their victories were impressive. Detroit put up a formidable challenge in both contests with Milwaukee having to dig deep to secure hard-fought wins against the worst team in the NBA. On both occasions, the Bucks’ lackluster defense was exposed once again.
This could have been a last straw of sorts for Adrian Griffin.
Bucks Fans React to Shocking News
As you might have expected, there were some mixed reactions on social media from Bucks supporters. For the most part, fans agreed with the front office’s decision to cut ties with Coach Griff under the premise that he just did not have what it takes to be the head coach of this team:
We were winning games we should be winning comfortably scoring 140 while the opponent had 137. It’s not about the record. Our defense is shambolic. If it’s not fixed now we’d be out in the first round of playoffs.
— Yemi the ambivert (@DesignsYemi) January 23, 2024
— MANPOLÖ (@UglyManpolo) January 23, 2024
He looked confused from the start. Not too much fight or fire in him like Bud. Don’t need red in the face, but a desire to be active on the sidelines. Too much talent to waste. Good move! pic.twitter.com/M8Wu7VYXR1
— Sarah 🦌⌚️ (@Soccer_3_Mom) January 23, 2024
Lack of defense was unacceptable on a team with Lopez, Portis, and Giannis guarding the rim.
— Justin Keister MS DABR (@justinkeister5) January 23, 2024
Good. Now get a defensive minded coach. Defense wins you championships.
— Yemi the ambivert (@DesignsYemi) January 23, 2024
Happy days are here again
Now I can go back to watching my favorite team ball again#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/JdoQxDfMe7— David Nwawe (@ThisDaeve) January 23, 2024
More than a few supporters, however, were not entirely sure if this was a good move by the Bucks. Others even went as far as suggesting that something significant must have happened off the court for the front office to come to such a drastic decision at this point in the season:
You need to give us a justification for this. 43 games to find the necessary adjustments is a short time. Didn't they know that when they hired a rookie coach?
— Bucks Brasil (@milwaukee_bra) January 23, 2024
Y'all gotta give us more than that. It was far from perfect but we're in 2nd place. You don't just fire your coach when you're in 2nd place on a random Tuesday.
— Milwaukee's Philliest Goose (@BucksinPhilly) January 23, 2024
Thank you Griff, it wasn’t meant to be. All the best in your future.
Horst please don’t get Doc tho, we can do so much better
— Mo (@AraujoGOAT) January 23, 2024
i kinda liked griff tho
— PlaymakerCentral (@PlaymakrCentral) January 23, 2024
Had to be something going on off the court for a 30-13 coach to be fired. Terry Stots who had 1000 games of head coaching experience quit his job as Griffin's assistant less than a week before the season. My guessing is something was going on behind the scenes
— Jack Cerveny (@JackCerveny) January 23, 2024
Naturally, a few others already started campaigning for Griffin’s successor. Some fans believe the team should bring back Mike Budenholzer, while others seem to be on board with reports that Doc Rivers has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Griffin:
Doc Rivers incoming
— Jar (@Jarzhi) January 23, 2024
HIRE DOC RIVERS!!!! 💚💚💚
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) January 23, 2024
Should have never let Coach Bud go. He made that team a legit contender and then yall just said deuces ✌🏻
— DarkHorseXF (@DarkHorseXF) January 23, 2024
Not the hero we deserve but the hero we need pic.twitter.com/VhjRm8bJ48
— Dr. Jrue Holiday HATER BURNER (PARODY!!!) (@HolidayJrueTime) January 23, 2024
It’s going to be a very interesting next few days for Milwaukee, for sure.
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